Chinese New Year eve in Paris Chinatown 13 arrondissement
The streets of Paris Chinatown or quartier chinois 13 arrondissement were decorated with rows of red couplets to welcome Chinese New Year 2010. These couplets were in French and Chinese wishing everyone a Happy New Year and also express hope for peace and happiness.
Like many other Chinatowns, Chinese New Year goods are offered in the various shops; flowers, mandarin oranges, festive food, clothes and Chinese New Year decorations.
On the Chinese New Year eve, many people go about their last minute shopping while the festive atmosphere is built up by the drum and gongs of the lion dance troupes and that of the fire crackers.
The local lion dance troupe arrived at shops, restaurants and other businesses to perform the lion dance as part of the Chinese New Year ritual. These performances are very public attracting many passer bys who stop to watch the lion dance. Some audiences even follow the lions like fans trailing their idol.
The most exciting of these Chinese New Year eve performances happened at Tang Freses, 陈氏兄弟公司, the well known store in Paris Chinatown 13 arrondissement. A stage was set up outside the supermarket complete with a sculpture of the god of wealth.
At about 6.30 pm on the New Year eve, many people turn up to watch the performance. There were several lions performing highly challenging stunts, leaping in the air and attracting applause from the audiences. This was followed by martial arts performances by the guys, girls and even a few Caucasians martial arts students!
Meanwhile, the rest of Paris Chinatown 13 arrondissement continues with their Chinese New Year preparations and the Chinese New Year eve reunion dinners as the Chinatown count down to receive the Year of the Tiger or année du tigre as the French would say.
Event date: 13 February 2010, Sunday
30th day of the 12th lunar month, year of the ox
己丑年十二月三十日
Chinese New Year eve in Paris Chinatown 13 arrondissement 
The streets of Paris Chinatown or quartier chinois 13 arrondissement were decorated with rows of red couplets to welcome 
Chinese New Year
